Landfills remains an important component in waste management as it deals with municipal solid waste directly and complements alternative waste management technologies, which in themselves give rise to residues that require disposal ultimately via landfill. As an assessment study, the work was carried out by visitation to existing dumpsites to obtain needed data and information through the instrumentation of a checklist, interviews, questionnaire and focus group discussions. Stratified random sampling was also used to provide appropriate representation of the societal classes in the population across the 25 Local Government Areas in the State. Results showed that most solid waste collected are deposited in open dumpsites/ landfills on the outskirts of urban areas thereby forming breeding sites for disease vectors and polluting the environment and plausible recommendations for improved waste and environmental management in the State.
2. Assessment of landfill sites for solid waste management in Delta state, Nigeria
Egun et al. 116
LANDFILL SITE OPERATION
A landfill site or dumpsite is a site for the disposal of
waste materials by burial. It is the oldest form and most
common method of waste treatment and disposal in so
many places around the world. Three types of landfills
are normally used for solid waste disposal and they are:
secured or sanitary landfills, controlled landfills and
open dumps.
Open Dumps
These are dumps were there are no standards for
refuse dumping (Gouveia and Ruscittodo Prado, 2010).
They are locations where illegally dumped, abandoned
piles of garbage and debris are left in large quantities.
They have the lowest initial capital investment and
operating cost; and are generally sited in vacant plots
of land and are typically developed in low-lying marshy
lands, often as a means of reclaiming land for
subsequent development. Open dumping of municipal
solid waste which is practiced by about three-fourth of
the countries and territories in the world are a primitive
stage of landfill development (Kumar, et al; 2004); and
represent an increased risk to groundwater quality and
health risks to surrounding residents.
Controlled Landfills
These are non-engineered disposal sites at which
wastes are deposited in accordance with minimum
prescribed standards of site operation. Typically
controlled landfills have minimal site infrastructure, with
improved operational and management procedures.
The site is generally identified on the basis of land
availability and convenience and is already being used
as an open dump; and not on the basis of technical,
environmental or financial criteria. Also, there is
typically little provision for the management of
pollutants released during decomposition of municipal
solid waste.
Secured or Sanitary Landfills
A secure landfill is a carefully engineered depression in
the ground (or built on top of the ground, resembling a
football stadium) consisting of a bottom liner, a leachate
collection system, a cover, and the natural
hydrogeologic setting. The aim is to avoid any hydraulic
[water-related] connection between the wastes and the
surrounding environment, particularly groundwater
(Environmental Research Foundation, 2011). The use
of sanitary landfills is not feasible for many waste
management authorities of most countries due to cost
constraints.
During landfill operations the waste collection vehicles
are weighed at a scale or weighbridge on arrival and
their load is inspected for wastes that do not meet up
with the landfill‟s waste acceptance criteria. Afterward,
the waste collection vehicles use the existing road
network on their way to the tipping face or working front
where they unload their contents. After loads are
deposited, compactors or bulldozers are used to spread
and compact the waste on the working face. Before
leaving the landfill boundaries, the waste collection
vehicles pass through a wheel cleaning facility. If
necessary, they return to the weighbridge in order to be
weighed without their load. Through the weighing
process, the daily incoming waste tonnage can be
calculated and listed in databases for record keeping.
Typically, in non-hazardous waste landfills, in order to
meet predefined specifications; techniques are applied
by which the wastes are confined to as small an area
as possible; compacted to reduce their volume and
covered (usually daily) with layers of soil. The space
that is occupied daily by the compacted waste and the
cover material is called a daily cell. Waste compaction
is critical to extending the life of the landfill. Factors
such as waste compressibility, waste layer thickness
and the number of passes of the compactor over the
waste affect the waste densities.
The existence of uncontrolled municipal solid waste
(MSW) landfills have resulted in adverse environmental
impacts, public health problems, socio-economic
challenges and increased public opposition. Literature
exist of several studies on the correlation between
environmental pollution arising from waste dumps and
public health, and the social consequences of the
present urban waste management issues in developed
and developing countries (Aatamila et. al. 2010;
Gouveia and Ruscittodo Prado, 2010; Nwanta et. al.
2010; Ogunrinola and Adepegba, 2012). This study is
aimed at assessing the present status of dumpsites/
landfills utilized for waste management activities in
Delta State; its statutory compliance to environmental
sustainability principles; indigenous/ public perception
of its location and operational activities; and plausible
recommendations for improved waste and
environmental management in the State.
STUDY AREA
Delta State is located between longitude 5
o
.00C and
6
o
.45C East and latitude 5
o
.00 and 6
o
.00 North in the
Niger-Delta region of Nigeria, with a total land area of
18,050 sq. km and an estimated population of
4,098,291 people (Federal Republic of Nigeria Official
Gazette, 2007). The State is made up of twenty five
(25) Local Government Areas (LGAs); twelve (12)
major urban centres with Asaba as the capital city and
Warri as her largest commercial city and the most
populated in the state (Egun, 2009). It has a tropical
climate marked by dry and rainy season distinctly;
average annual rainfall of about 229 cm; average
temperature of 30°C (81°F) and vegetation varying from
the mangrove swamps along the coast to rainforests in
the north. Delta State is a part of the Niger Delta
3. Assessment of landfill sites for solid waste management in Delta state, Nigeria
J. Environ. Waste Manag. 117
Structural Basin, with the surface rock in parts of the
State consisting of the Ogwashi-Uku Formation, while
the subsurface stratigraphy units of Benin, Agbada and
Akata Formations occur throughout (Kogbe, 1976).
The geographical setting of the State has very serious
ecological problems such as erosion and flooding which
are widespread phenomena in the State. The critical
environmental issues that need to be addressed cover
not only waste management but also water supply,
wastewater treatment, and environmental protection.
Waste collection and disposal in particular is
inadequate and does not meet the United Nations (UN)
technical standards. Level of awareness about
environmental issues is also poor, not only at the
community level, but also at administrative level as well
(Egun, 2010).
METHODOLOGY
As an assessment study, the scope of the work
included visitation to existing dumpsites to obtain
needed data and information through the
instrumentation of a checklist, interviews,
questionnaire, and focus group discussions. Stratified
random sampling was also used to provide appropriate
representation of the societal classes in the population.
A total of 2,500 persons were interviewed, consisting of
about 100 respondents in each of the 25 Local
Government Areas in the State.
Focus group discussion – a form of qualitative research
(Greenbaum, 2000); was used to collate public
perceptions, opinions and attitudes towards waste
disposal practices and landfill site location, with the
researcher as the facilitator.
Interviews and administration of questionnaire to
Private Sector Participants (PSPs) in waste
management in the State; Environmental Health
Officers and Environmental management experts to get
an insight into the operability of landfills and their
opinions. Also, some questions were asked exclusively
to experts/ professionals in the field of soil science,
chemistry and environmental management.
Checklist prepared by the researcher was applied
through direct visitation. The main issues assessed
included: distance of the housing units to the dump site,
water source and methods of refuse disposal /
sanitation, presence/ absence of „buffer‟ zones,
presence/ absence of safe limits for location of wells
and boreholes, and compliance to regulatory criteria
obtainable in the laws of the Federal and State
Environmental Protection Agency of Nigeria, and other
non-regulatory criteria.
OBSERVATION AND DISCUSSION
In Delta State, all the municipal solid waste and
garbage collected are deposited in the various open
dumpsites/ landfills located on the outskirts of urban
areas where there are water bodies, arable farmlands,
and rural settlements; which form breeding sites for
disease-carrying vectors such as rodents and
mosquitoes in the communities. A survey across the
State shows that there are no properly sited landfill site,
and most existing dumpsites/ landfills are developed as
a result of the negligence of the Environment/ Public
Health officers to check the indiscriminate dumping of
waste (Figure 1); which has led to the utilization of
unsuitable land areas such as canals, swamps,
underneath bridges, laterite excavation sites, river
banks etc. for landfill operations. This is a common
feature in the urban centres, as the “Not in my
backyard” (NIMBY) phenomenon of waste disposal
exhibited by residents in the neighbourhood has
resulted in the utilization of undeveloped lands within
the residential areas as dumpsites; which are
sometimes subsequently reloacated in the course of
urban renewal development projects.
Pollution
The inappropriate location of solid waste disposal sites
has resulted in the contamination of surface and ground
water, soil contamination, air pollution, spreading of
diseases by various vectors, aesthetic problems and
societal nuisance (Egun, 2011; Weli and Adekunle,
2014). Environmental pollution generated by the
various dumpsites specifically in the forms of obnoxious
odour oozing from the dumpsite; regular discharge of
pollutants and effluents into the atmosphere and water
bodies as a result of incineration activities on the
dumpsite, very dirty and unkempt environments is
clearly obvious to every observer and passer-by. The
levels of Suspended Particulates Matter (SPM) in one
of the studied dumpsites ranged between 773 and 801
µg/m3 which is three (3) times more than the regulatory
limit of 250 µg/m3, which may be attributed to huge oily
smoke billowing from the sites; presence of heavy
metals, ammonia and phosphates in water sources
(FEPA, 1995; Ohwoghere–Asuma and Aweto, 2013;
Rim-Rukeh, 2014). The extent of air and water pollution
is worse in the raining season as a result of offensive
and disease-carrying odour, as well as surface water
pollution.
Dumpsite fires
A common observation was the presence of dumpsite
fires which are used by the dump site operators to
reduce the volume of waste, operating costs, and
increase a dump site‟s operating life. Dump sites fires
have been categorise into two, surface and
underground fires (FEMA, 2002). Surface fires involve
recently buried or uncompacted refuse, situated on or
close to the dump site surface in the aerobic
decomposition layer. Underground fires in dumpsite
occur deep below the dump site surface and involve
materials that are months or years old; and are
generally more difficult to extinguish than surface fires.
4. Assessment of landfill sites for solid waste management in Delta state, Nigeria
Egun et al. 118
Table 1. Which criterion do you think is the most important when locating a landfill/ dumpsite?
Freq. Percent (%) Valid % Cumulative %
Distance from residential area 353 47 47 47
Distance from water resource 105 14 14 61
Depth of Water table 75 10 10 71
Soil and Geology characteristics 60 08 08 79
All of the above 157 21 21 100
Total 750 100 100
Table 2. Do you consider distance to landfills/ dumpsites when purchasing land
for residential use or renting a home?
Freq. Percent (%) Valid % Cumulative %
Yes 1,375 55 55 55
No 625 25 25 80
Undecided 500 20 20 100
Total 2,500 100 100
Table 3. What are your reasons for considering distance to landfills/ dumpsites?
Freq. Percent (%) Valid % Cumulative %
Odour 247 18 9.9 9.9
Aesthetic Nature of Neighbourhood 220 16 8.8 18.7
Environmental Health 275 20 11.0 29.7
All of the Above 633 46 25.3 55.0
Total 1,375 100 55.0
Observed dumpsites show the presence of both
surface and underground fires, evident by the emission
of dense black smoke. Also observed was
spontaneous combustion of materials in the dumpsites
(Rim-Rukeh, 2014), and deliberate fires by scavengers/
waste pickers to aid their search.
Infrastructure and Management
There is poor sanitation practice within and around the
dumpsite, inadequate manpower to supervise daily
activities, lack of necessary equipment for clean-up
activities within the refuse dumpsite. Visited dumpsites
showed the absence of weighbridges for the weighing
of waste collection vehicles entering and existing the
dumpsites; thereby making it difficult to collate the
tonnage of waste deposited daily at the various
dumpsites for database/ record keeping. Also there are
no vehicle wheel cleaning facility available; which has
led to the pollution of local roads from wheels of
vehicles when they leave the dumpsite, and
infrastructure disruption such as damage to access
roads by heavy vehicles have been observed.
Economic Activity
As in many developing countries; dumpsites in addition
to being a place for depositing waste, are places of
work for waste pickers, waste collectors using push-cart
to dump refuse on waste sites, waste buyers who sell
them to recyclers and re-users, among others
(Aderibigbe, 2010; Egun, 2012). Waste pickers/
scavengers are seen actively on major dumpsites
across the State, with some setting up temporary
accommodation for themselves within the perimeter of
the dumpsite. The activities of the waste pickers have
led to a high increase of waste diversion for recycling
and reuse especially for metal scraps/ materials.
Considering the criterions for landfill site selection; the
common criterion seen to be considered as a priority in
landfill site selection across the State is the distance
from urban/ residential settlement, which showed the
highest response of fourty-seven percent (47%) and
twenty-one (21%) regarded every aforementioned
criteria as important in the sitting process (Table 1).
A good majority of the respondents (55%) across the
social strata sampled gave a positive response in the
consideration of distance to landfills/ dumpsites when
desiring a land for residential purposes; giving reasons
of odour, aesthetic nature of neighbourhood and
environmental health (Table 2 and Table 3). Several
studies have also reported significant correlations
between air quality and certain diseases such as,
shortness of breath, cardiovascular problems,
increased morbidity and mortality rates; as medical
tests carried out on humans living around dumpsites
shows evidence of infections from water, land and air
pollution (Ayotamuno and Gobo, 2004; Laden et al.,
2000; Nwanta et. al. 2010; Aatamila et. al. 2010). Also,
research studies have shown that proximity to landfill
5. Assessment of landfill sites for solid waste management in Delta state, Nigeria
J. Environ. Waste Manag. 119
Table 4: Do you think improper waste disposal has effect on the
properties of soil/ land?
Freq. Percent (%) Valid % Cumulative %
Yes 750 100 100 100
No - - -
Total 750 100 100
Table 5. Are dumpsites in the State properly managed?
Freq. Percent (%) Valid % Cumulative %
Yes - - - -
No 1,750 70 70 70
Undecided 750 30 30 100
Total 2,500 100 100
Table 6. Are you satisfied with waste management activities in the State?
Freq. Percent (%) Valid % Cumulative %
Yes 250 10 10 10
No 1,750 70 70 80
Undecided 500 20 20 100
Total 2,500 100 100
Table 7: Integrated Waste Management Scheme is capable of creating
employment
Freq. Percent (%) Valid % Cumulative %
Yes 2.175 87 87 87
Undecided 325 13 13 100
Total 2,500 100 100
sites depresses the value of residential properties. It is
also seen that the perceived quality of life of the
respondents, security and total outlook of the area is
affected negatively; hence the value of residential
properties around this site is more reliant on demand
rather than suitability or choice (Nelson et al.,1992;
Ijasan, et al., 2012). This is reflective on the personal
monthly income; as earnings is positively related to
owning a house as well as the distance of residential
accommodation to the pollution source – the dumpsite,
and lowering the rate of being affected by effluents and
disease vectors (Ogunrinola and Adepegba, 2012).
There was an observed high response (100%) to the
direct correlation of improper waste disposal and the
properties land and ecology (Table 4).Uncontrolled
dumpsite and waste dumpsites threaten the ground-
water supply as movement of leachates from dumpsites
through the soil and the aquifers pose a risk to the
environment. Studies on the effects of unlined waste
dumps on the host soil and underlying shallow aquifers
have shown that soil and groundwater system can be
polluted due to poorly designed waste disposal facilities
(Amadi et al., 2012). As the release of pollutants
through leachates from both functional and abandoned
dumpsites pose a high risk to nearby soil and
groundwater if not adequately managed (Ikem et al.,
2002).
There was a high disaffection among respondents
(70%) to the management of landfills/ dumpsites (Table
5); and the waste management activities/ operations
(Table 6) in the State.
Respondents showed a positive response (87%) to the
capacity of an integrated waste management scheme
in generating employment to both skilled and unskilled
persons (Table 7).
Though open dumpsite is the easiest form of disposal
of municipal solid waste that is available and affordable
to Private Sector Participants (PSPs) and also utilized
by the Waste Management Board; this basis on
financial terms neglects the direct and indirect costs
associated with the continuing and increasing
environmental degradation along with its concomitant
effect on public health and environmental sustainability.
Taking into cognisance the potential and actual impacts
of associated direct and indrect costs; there is a
fundamental need for upgrading the overall standards
of final disposal of Municipal Solid Waste in the State.
6. Assessment of landfill sites for solid waste management in Delta state, Nigeria
Egun et al. 120
A 1
A 2
A 2
R 1
R 2
PROPAGATION
WASTE DUMP SITE FORMED
INITIATION
ACTIONS:
A 1: Disposal of waste on undeveloped/
virgin lands by residents within the
neighborhood (NIMBY)
A 2: More waste deposited on the site,
as residents of the locality now
utilize site for permanent waste
disposal.
A 3: Further deposit of waste on the
site; waste transferred to the site
from collection points by waste
pickers. Also Scavenging activities
carried out on the site.
REACTIONS:
R 1: Stoppage of waste disposal on the site by the
property owner (private). Thereby terminating
growth
NO ACTION: Negligence of duty of Environment/
Community Health Officers, lead to the dumpsite
growth
R 2: Environmental/ Health officers are notified and
instead of a total clear out of waste; they
incinerate the waste on the site with the
objective of reducing waste volume before
clearance.
NO ACTION: Further negligence by appropriate
authorities especially when the site is situated in
areas habited by low income earners, lead to the
improper siting of dumpsites/ landfills.
FIGURE 1: Schematic diagram of the Progressive Development of Improper Waste
Dumpsites/ Landfills in Delta State.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Landfill is a necessary component of the waste
management system that will be developed. The open
dumping system that is been practiced in the urban
centres and across the State over the years is not
environmentally sound and socially acceptable; and
needs to be highly discouraged. As this has also seen
the rural areas and poor communities having to bear
the waste burden as their reserved farmlands and
environment are been selected and sacrificed for
dumpsite operation. (Duru and Njoku, 2012). Therefore,
the following recommendations are made:
Controlled Dumps: The open dumpsites across the
State should as a matter of necessity be closed and
rehabilitated to protect the public and the environment.
For open dumps found to be located in hydro-
geologically suitable locations; if carried out sensitively
and with due attention to the protection of the
environment including groundwater and surface waters;
conversion of the open dumps to controlled dumps may
be feasible with little capital outlay and few increased
costs. Controlled dumps are relatively simple and relies
upon operational and management practices. New sites
should be properly selected for controlled dumps.
Landfill Site Selection: The suitable siting of landfills,
taking into cognisance significant amount of spatial
information, including environmental, social, economic
and engineering data is a necessity and major
challenge to effective solid waste management in
Nigeria. Other criteria such as geology (lithology),
groundwater depth, water supply well points, hydraulic
conductivity/ soil structure, land-use/ land-cover, slope,
drainage pattern (water bodies), etc. should henceforth
be given high priority consideration when selecting sites
for landfill operations. Geographic Information System
(GIS) along with appropriate models and spatial
analysis methods have been shown as useful tool in
the study and determination of suitable sites for landfill
operations; location of treatment facilities; and the
optimization of waste collection and transport (Ersoy
and Bulut, 2009; Govindaraju, et al, 2011; Surendra,
2013; Egun, et al, 2015), and should be utilized for
landfill sitting in the State.
Environmental Monitoring: The overwhelming
environmental significance and impact of leachates on
soil and nearby groundwater and surface water has
become a great concern because of its serious threat to
the quality of life of human beings and the ecosystem.
There is a present need for environmental compliance
audit of all dumpsites in the State to develop an audit
database and guidelines for proper monitoring,
implementation and management of dumpsites.
Regular monitoring of the baseline quality of the
groundwater to determine the operational status of
7. Assessment of landfill sites for solid waste management in Delta state, Nigeria
J. Environ. Waste Manag. 121
dumpsites. Periodic assessment of air quality in the
surrounding land use areas in relation to distance to
landfill sites; and the presence of potential vectors for
the spread of diseases in dumpsites. For improved
health status of the populace and for better labour
market productivity, a resettlement programme for
persons living within 250 metres radius programme is a
must for the government (Ogunrinola and Adepegba,
2012).
Infrastructures: Upgrading of standards is a
continuous process. Infrastructural upgrades needed
include: Primary access road constructed to high
standard to minimize wear and tear on delivery vehicles
and maintain traffic ability of haulage routes to waste
discharge areas in wet weather conditions.
Constructing surface water interception ditches to
isolate surface water and storm water flows from
deposited waste/ dumpsites in order to avoid potential
wash-out. Site support facilities and services such as
small site offices, electricity, water etc.
Management: Poorly run landfills may become
nuisances because of vectors such as rats and flies
which can cause infectious diseases; wildlife disruption,
dust, odour, noise pollution, and reduced local property
values. Therefore there is need for the regulation of
access and activities on dumpsites. Such as regulation
of waste pickers activities and prevention of dumpsite
fires; control of pests and vermin; reduction in
persistent odours; and reducing impacts of site
activities upon developments adjacent to the site to
minimum levels. Recording of waste quantity and types
brought to the various dumps by a site clerk for efficient
planning and operation. Recruitment of experienced
Operations Manager and appropriate training of staff,
and enforcement of site operational practices.
Waste Legislation/ Policy Formulation: Waste
diversion or landfill diversion is the process of diverting
waste from landfills through recycling, composting and
waste-to-energy. The success of landfill diversion
policies can be measured by comparison of the size of
the landfill from one year to the next. The cost issue
has prompted some municipal government authorities
in some developing nations to adopt cost-reduction
programme as well as conservation tenets of "reduce,
reuse, and recycle". This is being achieved through
aggressive community education of consumers and
producers on waste reduction methods, while
institutions and businesses that could buy up discarded
materials are facilitated to enhance recycling and
reuse. These activities not only have positive
environmental impact on the communities involved, but
also have an important economic dimension (Goldman
and Ogishi, 2001).
Industrialization/ Integrated Solid Waste
Management: An integrated approach to waste
management should be exploited by the State
Government as it has the capacity of creating
employment to both skilled and unskilled persons; and
maintaining a healthy environment. Government should
make financing mechanisms/ instruments available for
the setting up of cottage industries involved in recycling
and utilization of waste thereby increasing the volume
of waste diverted from landfill sites. Also, waste as a
resource potentials of the State should be showcased
to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in the
establishment of integrated waste management
projects.
CONCLUSION
For any alternative waste management technologies/
methods to succeed; they must be sustainable, having
taken into cognisance environmental, commercial and
economic considerations. This requirement is invariably
is associated with increased costs. Financially, the use
of landfills remains the least cost solution for final
disposal of municipal solid waste in developing
economies. Therefore, in the short to medium term
(next 5 to 25 years), controlled dumps and secured
landfills remain the options for replacing open dump
sites system in Delta State and across Nigeria.
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